Neighbors living in a cul-de-sac in the Minshall Park neighborhood in midtown-south Tulsa annually paint a look-alike of the U.S. flag on their street in remembrance of American veterans. From left are Rick Bahlinger, Nick Ede and Jim Heatherman. The neighbors started the tradition in the early 2000s when one of Heatherman’s sons was returning from duty in the Middle East. Heatherman, a Vietnam veteran and a former U.S. Marine officer, has four sons. Three of his sons are also U.S. Marine officers, and the fourth works for the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Oklahoma Honor Flights took 87 veterans to Washington, D.C. for a one-day trip to visit the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other sites on Sept. 10. Oklahoma Honor Flights is a hub of the national Honor Flight Network and this was its 18th flight from Oklahoma and seventh from Tulsa.

The American Legion hosted a Memorial Day service at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa May 26 honoring those who have served and died protecting the nation’s freedom. Pictured are Tulsans David and Joan Blankenship flanked by guest speaker Brig. Gen. Donald E. “Gene” Kirkland and Master of Ceremonies Col. Scott W. Stratton. Brig. Gen. Kirkland is Commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, Tinker Air Force Base.

The Folds of Honor Foundation has partnered with Ebonite to launch Patriot Bowling Day at bowling centers nationwide during Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 14-17). During the four-day period, the foundation will collect donations and host events to help fund educational scholarships for the families of those killed or disabled while serving the U.S.

GRATITUDE TO VETERANS: Veteran Marquise Debouse, second from left, stands in front of the refurbished car, a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo, that he received from an OSU Institute of Technology (OSUIT) automotive class and the nonprofit organization Cars 4 Heroes.

Major Dan Rooney created the Folds of Honor Foundation six years ago as a means to help families of veterans wounded or killed in action. He didn’t necessarily plan to expand outside of that vision. However, due to the local and national community’s embracing, that is exactly what he has had to do. And Rooney can’t say that he’s surprised.

Owasso community members recently gathered to honor Sergeant Schuyler B. Patch. The Owasso soldier was killed in action in Afghanistan while assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of Kewanee, Ill.

Renovations are underway for the Museum of Military History, which will be located on Main Street in the former Special Services Center of Broken Arrow Public Schools. Currently housed in Tulsa, the museum was founded in 1989 by retired Air Force Colonel Robert Powell.

It all began with a simple request. Forty years ago, in 1972, the widow of a veteran brought a flag to Floral Haven Cemetery. It had covered the coffin of her husband when he was buried with military honors and the widow wondered if Floral Haven would fly it during the Memorial Day weekend. She was told it would be an honor. It is an honor that has grown exponentially.

The Oklahoma Honor Flights organization is making final plans for the group’s initial flight in 2012. The flight will transport approximately 100 World War II veterans and sixty guardians to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.